Work finishes on Everton’s People’s Hub

TAC’s consultancy arm, The Addy Consultancy, has also finished its work on Everton Football Club’s People’s Hub, in the shadows of Goodison Park in North Liverpool. Led by TAC director Bill Addy, we provided all of the development services to the project, over more than four years of planning and development.

Ranging from designs, grants liaison (with funder Big Lottery), though planning and legal agreements with Liverpool City Council, who gifted the land, Addy has overseen the project from initial client brief to construction, and the final addition, in phase two of its all-weather Cruyff pitch.

It is a home for Everton in the Community’s, the club’s charitable wing, which runs a range of community programmes there, focusing on issues including homelessness, mental health, health and education. Described as an ‘innovative community campus’, the hub is designed to meet the needs of all members of the local community, and is a home for the club’s charity.

The hub was officially opened in June this year by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, who enjoyed a guided tour of the site, before taking part in a commemorative plaque unveiling with club representatives.

Phil Duffy, executive director of Everton in the Community, said: ‘The creation of The People’s Hub has been a long journey and it’s great to officially launch our new home.

‘The Earl’s visit marks the beginning of a new era for our charity and local residents – we hope that they will enjoy using The People’s Hub for recreation, support and socialising for many years to come.’

The project was financed by the Big Lottery Fund. Its grant-making director, James Harcourt, said: ‘Everton in the Community is doing some amazing things in Liverpool, using sport to motivate and inspire people.

‘We’re proud to have supported the building of their new People’s Hub, which is a great example of how money raised by National Lottery players for good causes can strengthen communities.’